Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Taijul Islam scripted history on Day 5 of the second Test against Ireland at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Islam became the first Bangladesh bowler to take 250 wickets in Test cricket.
Islam surpassed legendary Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in the format. He picked up a four-fer in the first innings and then continued to wreak havoc during Ireland’s run chase as well.
Islam is now the sixth left-arm spinner to take 250 wickets in Tests. The top spot belongs to Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath (433 wickets), New Zealand's Daniel Vettori (362 wickets), India's Ravindra Jadeja (343 wickets), England's Derek Underwood (297 wickets), India's Bishan Singh Bedi (266 wickets).
33-year-old Islam will have a chance to surpass Bedi on the list and enter the top five in near future.
Bangladesh batters dominate
After After Bangladesh posted 476 on the board, courtesy Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das' centuries, Islam's four-fer helped the hosts bowl out Ireland for 265. He got the wickets of Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny, Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys.
Bangladesh set a mammoth target of 509 for the Irish. Islam dismissed both openers Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling. Later, he got the wickets of Doheny and McBrine. His 250th Test wicket was McBrine who got out lbw.
Islam continues dominance at home
Islam has got the majority of wickets at home. As he completed 250 Test wickets, 194 of them came at home. He has got wickets in single-digits in India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa. In Sri Lanka and West Indies, he has 19 wickets each. Out of 57 Tests, he has played only eight Tests out of Asia.
Rahim scripts history too
Rahim became the first Bangladesh player to play 100 Tests. He also joined the exclusive list of batters with a century in 100th Test. He is third Asian batter to achieve the feat. After a century in the first innings, he remained unbeaten for 53 in the second.